Distribution of trace metal in Shaune Garang catchment: evidence from particles and nanoparticles

Abstract

Abstract The input of colloids and nanoparticles reactive elements might even cause catastrophic melting events of polar ice caps and glaciers. Although enhancing contribution of glacial melt water into the oceans might be responsible about the element concentrations and distribution in glacial melt water fed river systems. Distribution and environmental assessment of heavy metals in the melt water draining from the glacier system during 2016 has been studied. In order to evaluate the physical and chemical distribution such as salinity, dissolved oxygen and particulate matters (Mn, Al, Si and Zn) in the form of nanoparticles, water samples were filtered by using 0.2 µm filter paper. The sampling locations were six from the snout to the downstream of Shaune Garang water channel. The conductivity of melt water is found to be same for all sampling locations while pH showed a minor variation. Variation in pH and conductivity indicates that elemental concentration of the study area is predisposed by meteorological factors and duration of rock-water contact. The leading mechanism responsible for the high concentration of nutrient is expected due to the metal dissolution from the particulate phase in the glacial river system. Mn particles observed in the catchment ranged from 0.86 to 2.43 mg/l with an average value 1.53 ± 0.48 mg/l. This could be due to the long resident time of flowing water on the rock surface. Basically, heavy metals distribution in the glacial system is controlled by different mechanism such as weathering of rocks, nature of rock, transportation by glacier as well as melt water and deposition. The findings reported here can have important implications for understanding the localized glacio-hydrological variations within the Himalayan ranges.